Diaphragm pump



Nov. 11, 1947. w. F. WESLEY DIAPHRAGM PUMP Filed June 18, 1945 Patented Nov. 11, 1947 ere res ev ,z,430,5.1 5 PEQE Y LEQW --.-Walter.r.F. MesleyHMinneapolis llfinn. ee aewne aea }new veol iins. (ohms-151) lVIy present invention" relatestohigh capacity, diaphragm 'punips" and is "anijnprov m'eiitiupon the strue-tu eniscmsed "in "Ii1yU.' s1 "Letters Pat'- ent No'."2j314,74'5,""as well as the pump structure disclosed in my co-pending application,

479,667, entitled Diaphragm force pump.

In general, it is ,an obiect of my presentinan m oved diap r e i 1D,

ventio'njtp provide. qanie fer u t rability of 'my ear i a More specifically, it isf'ari ObJiBQfiitoplQVidBfi diaphragm assembly of ilnproved efficie' {and he dL w -te m ce trallyane Medel ninned;

is t pump. hou n an n the hump ng d 'asft'o havea r ol lin' g action when the di h an i ve edrrom upt m i ln'en v 1 ,-.Vflrsathiz' ylm e ia ll idu gblli y m de icef fl li f h i. j th the class described, ofia l fiwfi-lwith, a lfiflifilfi vide an automatic orainiieature iorlthe" Pilim .ths'ldianh a unusual and fully lowered rel'atl A s l f i t e 1 1 1951 i th Provis on, of v aggi im eved'me' n i diaphr m m 1 190 Q ieinfQrfin a d s men? i b iheifle bl 'diebh 9? a W a to o id a e lve d s d etwe n charg member o t e s m the qbiec sa drantase my in); io i l fb mo ff pP h frdmlt ieede c i ie mad c ,1 A. i ompenyi jcl W ne stein lik re e enc characters refer o' the 'sa e pa i t 's throughout the several views iandin which;

Fi 1.is a vert a sectidntak n.axially o the co nectin 95 o theliulpn showi s embed msln o my r'iventionflwith th diahh in full lines in extreme .uppernfls hawn ,i'nt tei ine near the l'owenendof its I Fi 2 i mi arly e'w a assemb showniinl x rierne lowered no w the norma end of thetwqrkin such position, 'to'o'perate valve irele I for drainingthepllmpi Fi 3"is a cross '5 tic gna n i mate y gin-the line sfssovfrfi Lam, is

Fig. 14 is a cross section taken approximately on the line 4+; ofr igp'l'. As shown in the drawings'my improved diaphraglmp ump comprises a main casiri we shall section,

i ,l. faphragm constructed.of ltein orced,flexible and or 'a pleefofined flexible diaphragm 1; Casing sectioned and 6 ma conveniently be in the form oi'hiet'al castings and thelov'ver section -fiispre'fera'blyprovide'd with an axially aligned boss 6a at itslower end havingg afiuid-intake passage-Eb formedtherein and as shown, being externa-lly th'reade dinltWo zones of difierentdiamete'r, in adaptorfa'shi'on for-threaded connection with'a soke'toftopbfa container such as a-tank or barrel. Internally, the medial and somewhat restricted portion of the passage 6b may be threaded ante for anattachment to an extension intake pipe, not shown, -The body of casing section 6, internally-forms an intake chamber-Iat thelower end of whichand as shown, insertedin the'upp er end'ofintakepassage-iib, is mounted an annular Valve seat- 8, preferably constructed of brass or some other non-corrosive metal and having" a sinooth, circiilar'upper edge, defining the iseat proper; A flat, disc valve 9 of somewhat larger diameter than the seat'member 8, cooperates with the annular seat and is guided in its vertical nio'vementby a plurality of lugs which may be integrally cast'in the lower portion of the interior' of-a'sing" section- 5. A valveretaining plate in in the forin" of a. metal disc, is attached by suitable means as screws 1 lfacross the tops of theseveral lugs 6d and a light; spiral spring [2 isinte'rposedbetween retaining disc andthe upper sur'fade o'f tli e'"disc valve 9, urging the'valve to lowerand closed position. A mounting strap i3 is'fixed .to the upper side of valve retainer plate iii and has a horizontally'ofi-set outer end 13a spaced above plate I53, iwhich is apertured in alignment with an aperture of plate iii to guide and accomniodate'avalve-releasing stem M which carries atiitslower end', a, mushroom head 14d, adaptedlto engage against the cap of valve disc 9. A second valve-releasing stem 25 is iixed at itslo'wr end-by swedging or otherwise, to strap 53 and also retainer plate .iii and is disposed axially of Ithe pu'mp housing in upstanding position, for contacting an ,upper disc valve, as will ater e made apparent.

The diaphragm l is pre-vformed intocup-shape, as shown in Fig. 2 and is preferably constructed of ,cord fabric embedded or vulcanized in syntheti A i- 2% ynth ic rubber is preferred as it will retain its flexibility Without Wear, even if ndrelatil ireqe i ee sashe n ph h gas ne, s "well as alcohol, anti-free solutions and wat r? The m fgm i edge for diaphragm 1 a' :jace 'nt its outer periphery .is clamped between 'ollttfirned, cooperating attachment flanges tic lidoflthe ii p casing and'is preferably wd i,

tha eee lle eeq p e a Sealing.

bead la which is received by cooperating annular channels of somewhat smaller diameter, in the opposed faces of the flanges 5a and 6a. The central portion of the preformed, cup-shaped diaphragm I, i circularly apertured to form a communication passage between lower or intake chamber I and the upper or discharge chamber D, of the housing. A valve-contained reinforcing head is attached to the marginal portion of diaphragm l, defining the said communicating passage and preferably, consists in a pair of concentric, reinforcing rings l6 and I1 respectively, the lower of which, it, is of somewhat smaller internal diameter than the upper ring ll, to expose a flat, marginal portion of the central apertured part of diaphragm l, which constitutes an annular valve seat for the upper disc Valve l8, when the two reinforcing rings 16 and I1 are secured and clamped together, upon the central portion of r the diaphragm, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The said reinforcing rings I6 and i! may be clamped against the diaphragm and secured together by suitable means such as rivets, l9. It will be noted that both of the reinforcing rings i6 and H are of shallow dish-shape to provide outturned and opposed, rounded or partial-spherical surfaces, which permits rolling and flexing of the diaphragm in its pumping stroke without bending the material on any predetermined circular line. The upper reinforcing ring 11, at its central portion, has extending upwardly therefrom, and preferably integrally formed therewith, a plurality of symmetrically arranged, guide arms 11a, disposed in the corners of an imaginary polygon and spaced apart with suitable clearance for guiding the disc valve 18 in its vertical movement. A cap member 20 fits over the upper ends of the rigid arms Ila and is spot-welded or otherwise rigidly secured thereto, to confine the disc valve l8 and to complete the head of the diaphragm, as well as to furnish a base of resistance for a spiral sprin 2f, the lower end of which reacts against the top of disc valve 18. A vertical pump or connecting rod 22, has its lower end connected to the reinforced head of the diaphragm by suitable means such as swedging its diminished extremity against the underside of cap member 2! The pump rod 22 extends upwardly through an aperture in the upper portion of easing section 5 and it is provided with a packing gland, designated as an entirety, by the letter P. An upstanding clevis pin 23 is pivoted at its lower end to a suitable attachment lug 5b, provided at the upper portion of easing section 5 and is fulcrumed, by a pin 25, at its upper end, the handle lever 25, the short working end of which is secured to the upper and somewhat reduced end of connection rod 22 for limited lost motion or cushioning play, To this end, as shown,

handle 25 in the form of a casting, is bifurcated at its connected end 25a and provided with a transverse, heavy pin 26 which is vertically apertured to receive the reduced upper extremity of pump rod 22. A short coil spring 21 is interposed between the pin 26 and a nut 28, having threaded engagement with the extremity of the reduced upper end of connecting rod 22. 7

To lock the handle against operation when it is desired, a short link 29 is provided, pivotally connected with the intermediate portion of the clevis 23 and the outer end of which is apertured at 29a for registration with a locking aperture 251) formed in the intermediate portion of handle lever 25. When said apertured portions are in 4 registration a padlock hasp may be secured therethrough.

As shown, the lower bossed portion of the lower casing section 6 may be provided with an airadmission port Ee communicating from the exterior of the casing and connecting with the intermediate portion of the fluid-intake passage 6b. An upstanding collar 6] as shown, is integrally formed in the bottom portion of casing section 6, disposed axially of the valve seat member 8 and spaced therefrom. This collar 6) is substantially ali ned with the mushroom head Ma to limit downward movement thereof in the unseatin of disc valve 9.

I prefer to provide a stop-bushing 22a, rigidly connected with the lower portion of connection rod 22., to limit the upper movement of the diaphragm assembly in the upward stroke of the pump.

Operations When the operating handle 25 is lifted from the position shown in Fig. 1, the diaphragm head and diaphragm are thrust downwardly, slightly below the position shown in dotted lines, at such time, the fluid pressure causing the lower valve to seat and close the intake passage and to open against the tension of spring 2|, the upper Valve I8 controlling the communication between the intake and discharge chambers of the casing. When handle 25 is next depressed, the diaphragm head and diaphragm is elevated to the position shown in Fig. 1, thereby producing a strong suction stroke which closes valve 18 in the head of the diaphragm and causes opening of the intake disc valve 9, drawing fluid into the intake chamber. The next successive downward stroke of the diaphragm forces fluid from the intake chamber I upwardly into the discharge chamber and the next lifting stroke of the diaphragm discharges fluid through the discharge spout S, while simultaneously drawing in additional fluid through intake passage 5b into the intake chamber 1. Thus, in operation, the discharge of fluid from my pump, is positively effected; no priming is necessary and the device is positive-acting and has a high capacity for delivery. In the movement of the diaphragm assembly, the pre-formed, cup-shaped diaphragm rolls throughout a major portion of its area, about the curved surfaces of the clamping or reinforcing rings 16 and I7 and near its outer marginal edge, about the opposed curved clamping surfaces of the connected sections 5 and 6 of the casing. This major rolling action is further facilitated by the circular-cross sectional head 1a of the diaphragm and there i no folding or flexing of the material along any one or set of defined circular lines, in the reversing of the diaphragm, from the position shown in Fig. l to the position shown in Fig. 2. The rolling action of the diaphragm takes place when viewed in cross section, along reverse curves and the wear is thus greatly reduced and not imposed upon a narrow zone or zones of the diaphragm, but is distributed in this compound rolling action, throughout substantially the entire area.

head I ia to engage and open the valve disc 9, by fulcruming the disc at one side of its annular valve seat. Simultaneously, in said extreme lowering of the diaphragm, the upper valve disc 18 is engaged and raised by the stationary valvereleasing pin 15. Thus, with both the lower and upper valves, 9 and [8, opened and with air port 6e provided, substantially all fluid contained in both intake and discharge chambers of the pump, return by gravity, to the source of supply or tank.

With the structure of my reinforcing head, including the reinforcing rings I6 and 11, the upstanding rigid arms l'la and welded cap member 22, a very simple, efiicient means is provided for not only reinforcing the central portion of the diaphragm, but also confining the upper disc valve 18 and guiding it in its vertical movement as well as connecting the diaphragm in an eflicient manner With the pump rod 22.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. A diaphragm pump comprising a casing, a transversely disposed diaphragm dividing said easing into a fluid-tight intake compartment and a fluid-tight discharge compartment, an intake port and a discharge port in said casing, a central passage in said diaphragm for connecting said two compartments, a reinforcing head secured to the central portion of said diaphragm, a valve associated with said head for controlling flow of fluid through said passage, said intake port at its inner end, being opposed to the central portion of said diaphragm, a valve associated with said intake port for controlling the same and valve releasing mechanism comprising a pair of pins each having an end opposed to one of said valves and mounted for response to the movement of said diaphragm in one direction and beyond the normal operation stroke to release and open said valves for drainage of said casing.

2. A diaphrgm pump comprising a casing, a transversely disposed diaphragm dividing said easing into a fluid-tight intake compartment and a fluid-tight discharge compartment, an intake port and a discharge port in said casing, a central passage in said diaphragm for connecting said two compartments, a reinforcing head secured to the central portion of said diaphragm, a valve associated with said head for controlling flow of fluid through said passage, said intake port at its inner end, being opposed to the central portion of said diaphragm, a valve associated with said intake port for controlling the same and a valve releasing member mounted in said intake compartment to open said intake valve and having an element opposed to a portion of said reinforcing head whereby said intake will be opened for drainage when said diaphragm is moved in one direction beyond its normal operating limit.

3. A diaphragm pump comprising a casing, a transversely disposed diaphragm dividing said easing into a fluid-tight intake compartment and a fluid-tight discharge compartment, an intake port and a discharge port in said casing a central passage in said diaphragm for connecting said two compartments, a reinforcing head secured to the central portion of said diaphragm, a valve associated with said head for controlling flow of fluid through said passage, said intake port at its inner end, being opposed to the central portion of said diaphrag a valve associated with said intake port for controlling the same and a valve releasing member fixedly mounted in said intake compartment independently of said head and valve associated therewith and having a portion opposed to the valve associated with said head for striking and unseating said valve for drainage purposes when said diaphragm is moved in one direction beyond its normal operating stroke.

4. A diaphragm pump comprising a casing, a transversely disposed diaphragm dividing said easing into a fluid-tight intake compartment and a fluid-tight discharge compartment, an intake port and a discharge port in said casing, a central passage in said diaphragm for connecting said two compartments, a reinforcing head secured to the central portion of said diaphragm, a valve associated with said head for controlling flow of fluid through said passage, said intake port at its inner end, being opposed to the central portion of said diaphragm, a valve associated with said intake port for controlling the same, a plunger member slidably mounted in said intake compartment and having an end disposed against said intake valve, said plunger member having an upper end opposed to a zone of said reinforcing head whereby said intake valve will be opened for drainage when said diaphragm is moved in one direction beyond its normal operating limit.

5. A diaphragm pump comprising a casing, a transversely disposed diaphragm dividing said casing into a fluid-tight intake compartment and a fluid-tight discharge compartment, an intake port and a discharge port in said casing, a central passage in said diaphragm for connecting said two compartments, a reinforcing head secured to the central portion of said diaphragm, a valve associated with said head for controlling flow of fluid through said passage, said intake port at its inner end, being opposed to the central portion of said diaphragm, said inlet port having a projecting annular seat, a valve disposed over said seat and having a marginal portion projecting beyond said seat, a plunger member slidably mounted in said intake compartment and extending longitudinally of said intake port and having an end disposed against the marginal edge of said intake valve, said plunger having an upper end opposed to a zone of said reinforcing head whereby said intake valve will be tilted for drainage when said diaphragm is moved in one direction beyond its normal operating limit.

6. The structure set forth in claim 5 and a transverse member in said intake chamber wherein said plunger is mounted and a Valve-operating pin secured to said member and having an end opposed to said valve associated with said head to open the same when said diaphragm is moved in one direction beyond its normal operating limit.

WALTER F. WESLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 39,259 Holly July 14, 1863 768,984 George Aug. 30, 1904 1,484,115 Eells Feb, 19, 1924 1,562,069 Arringdale Nov. 17, 1925 2,314,745 Wesley Mar. 23, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 505,510 Great Britain l939 

